As more and more people become aware of the impact they have on the environment, many are looking for ways to reduce their carbon footprint, even when they travel. In fact, studies show that 78% of travelers intend to stay in sustainable accommodation at least once in 2023, and 57% of travelers would feel better staying in a particular accommodation if they knew it had a sustainability certification. Vacation rental property owners and managers can tap into this trend by making their properties more environmentally friendly.
In this article, we’ll look at how much energy appliances in vacation rentals actually consume and how to get your guests to optimize their usage. The top 5 most energy-consuming appliances in vacation rentals:
- The Fridge
- The Television
- The Washing Machine
- The Lighting
- The Oven
By making small changes to their properties, owners, and managers can not only save money but also help protect the planet. So let’s dive in and see how you can make your vacation rental more sustainable!
HOW TO CHOOSE APPLIANCES THAT CONSUME LESS
In the US:
Look for the ENERGY STAR label, which indicates that the appliance meets certain energy efficiency guidelines established by the US Environmental Protection Agency.
Check the EnergyGuide label, which displays the estimated annual energy consumption and operating costs of the appliance.
Consider appliances with features that reduce energy usage, such as adjustable thermostats, automatic shut-off, or energy-saving modes.
Choose appliances with the smallest size that meets your needs.
Look for appliances with high energy efficiency ratings, such as Energy Star certified models.
In Europe:
Look for appliances with energy efficiency ratings of A or higher.
Consider appliances with additional plus (+) symbols, such as A+, A++, or A+++, which indicate even higher levels of energy efficiency.
Check the energy consumption displayed on the appliance’s energy label, which is expressed in kWh per year.
Choose appliances with the smallest size that meets your needs.
Consider appliances with features that reduce energy usage, such as automatic shut-off or energy-saving modes.
Top 1 most energy-consuming appliance in a vacation rental: the fridge
A fridge is an essential appliance in any vacation rental, but did you know that it’s also the most energy-consuming? Due to its continuous operation and size, the fridge can consume a significant amount of energy, leading to higher energy bills for vacation rental owners. Below, we’ll explore why the fridge is so energy-consuming and offer some tips on how to reduce its energy usage.
How much does the fridge consume?
The energy consumption of a fridge can vary depending on a number of factors, including its size, age, and energy efficiency rating. In general, a fridge will use between 0.8-2.4 kilowatt hours (kWh) of energy per day. The exact amount will depend on the factors mentioned above, as well as how often the fridge is opened and how well it is maintained.
Keeping your fridge well-maintained by cleaning the coils, checking the seals and regularly defrosting can help reduce energy consumption. Also make sure to adjust the temperature of the fridge to the recommended setting (around 37-40°F or 2.8-4.4°C) to ensure that the fridge is not overworking and consuming more energy than necessary.
How to get your guests to optimize their fridge usage?
Here are some tips for vacation rental guests to help reduce the energy consumption of the fridge, why not print them or place as a tip on the fridge:
- Minimize Door Opening: Try to limit the frequency and duration of door opening as much as possible. Every time you open the fridge, cold air escapes, and the fridge has to work harder to cool itself again, which increases its energy consumption.
- Store Cold Items: Put cold items in the fridge rather than warm or room temperature ones. This will reduce the amount of work the fridge needs to do to cool them down.
- Use Refrigerator’s Space: Avoid overfilling the fridge with too many items that restrict air circulation. The fridge needs to maintain a consistent temperature and prevent the buildup of warm pockets in its interior.
By following these tips, vacation rental guests can help reduce the energy consumption of the fridge, resulting in energy savings and a more sustainable vacation experience.
SUSTONICA CRITERIA – In order to get 2 points for your badge update your fridge to an A,B,C in Europe or energy star in the US. Check out our standard
Top 2 most energy-consuming appliance in a vacation rental: the television
The television is a common fixture in most vacation rentals, but did you know that it’s actually the second most energy-consuming appliance? In fact, it can use up a surprising amount of energy, particularly if it’s left on for long periods of time. In this article, we’ll explore why the television is so energy-consuming and offer some tips on how to reduce its energy usage. By making a few simple changes, you can lower your vacation rental’s energy bills and help to protect the environment at the same time.
How much energy does a television consume?
An old-style 24-inch CRT TV will use between 75 to 95 watts of electricity per hour, whereas a modern LED TV of the same size will use only about one-third of that energy. For a 50-inch TV, a plasma-screen model will consume between 150 to 200 watts, while an LED TV of similar size will use only 50 to 60 watts.
The television will also ingest energy while in a dormant state. Some advanced TVs can expend a great deal of energy on standby solely because particular functions are enabled – for example, “awaken via WIFI” is said to consume nearly as much as having the TV activated. If you link your TV to a smart plug, you can deactivate it from a distance.
How to choose a TV that consumes less?
LED TV
- The most economical type of television is a LED flat panel. OLED and QLED slightly surpass LED in terms of energy consumption since each pixel is illuminated independently rather than utilizing LED backlighting. Plasma televisions draw far more energy than LED, OLED, or QLED models.
Size matters, small is better (!)
- The more expansive your television set, the more electricity it will require to run. Even the most power-saving 65 or 75-inch models will utilize more energy than a less efficient smaller television.
How to get your guests to optimize their TV usage?
- Plug the TV in an extension socket with on/off button and ask your guests to turn it off when they leave.
- Dim the screen. The more luminous the screen is, the more electricity your television will draw. You can find the illumination options in the TV menu – certain TVs also have a sustainable mode, and there are others that have a detector that gauges the light in the room, so that the TV can modify the brightness automatically.
Top 3 most energy-consuming appliance in a vacation rental: the washing machine
The washing machine is a must-have appliance in vacation rentals, but it can also be one of the biggest energy consumers. As the third most energy-consuming appliance, it can significantly impact your vacation rental’s energy bills if not used efficiently. Below, we’ll take a closer look at why the washing machine consumes so much energy and offer some tips on how to reduce its energy usage. By adopting some simple practices, you can minimise your vacation rental’s environmental impact and save money on energy bills.
How much energy does a washing machine consume?
Typically, washers consume between 400 to 1,400 watts of power – this figure is heavily affected by the type of machine. Operating a washing machine three times per week will use up around 140.4 kilowatt-hours of electricity annually.
How to get your guests to optimize their washing machine usage?
Ask them to:
- Ask your guest to use the eco-setting on your washing machine
- Ask them to substitute warm water wash with cold water to reduce energy use by over 50%.
- Ask them to launder large batches of clothing. The power used by the washing machine does not vary with the size of the load; therefore, stuff it up as much as you can!
Did know that by just washing your clothes without a washing machine filter, you release an equivalent of one plastic bag per week into the ocean? Adding a PlanetCare filter or similar will capture and eliminate microfibers from clothes during the washing process. Installing this device will earn you 1 point in the Sustonica criteria for sustainable vacation rentals. Check the criteria here.
Top 4 most energy-consuming appliance in a vacation rental: lighting
The third most energy-consuming appliance in a vacation rental is lighting.
The average wattage for an incandescent bulb is 60, while for an LED light bulb it is 10. Over the course of a month, if you used an incandescent bulb for two hours each day, it would consume 12.2 kilowatt-hours of electricity.
Utilizing a LED light bulb for two hours daily will consume approximately 0.61 kilowatt-hours of electricity per month and 7.3 kilowatt-hours of electricity annually.
How to consume less energy with lighting?
1. Invest in energy-saving lights
You can dramatically cut your energy costs by up to 80% if you switch to energy-saving light bulbs. Substitute your aged halogen bulbs with LED globes or CFLs, especially in locations where the lights are used for extended amounts of time. CFLs and LEDs are more durable too, with a lifespan ranging from 4 to 30 years, in contrast to the 1-year life expectancy of traditional light bulbs.
2. Lower the wattage
Bright, overly lit rooms can be uncomfortable and use up a lot of energy unnecessarily. When there’s no need for the extra wattage, take the opportunity to reduce it. Choose light fixtures that don’t block the bulbs’ light, allowing you to use bulbs with less wattage.
3. Install timers and sensors to save lighting
You can conserve money on lighting by getting motion detectors for lights in areas where they are regularly left switched on by mistake, such as washrooms or storerooms. Motion-activated lights guarantee that you are not wasting energy and money when a person neglects to switch off the lights.
Sensors can also be used for air conditioning, which switches off when it detects there are no people at home. Read our article about smart occupancy sensors.
4. Position switches close to the entrances and exits.
Install switches near all entry and exit points of the room. This will make it easier for people to turn off the lights when they are leaving. Additionally, signs should be posted to remind people to turn off the lights when they are not needed.
5. Invest in solar lighting
The lights will accumulate energy while the sun is out and can be switched on by hand or programmed to turn on when the sun sets. An example of this is the strip lighting that is generally used for paths.
Top 5 most energy-consuming appliance in a vacation rental: the oven
Cooking in the oven is a popular activity for many vacation rental guests, but did you know that it’s one of the energy-consuming appliances? In fact, it ranks as the fifth most energy-consuming appliance in a vacation rental. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at why the oven consumes so much energy and provide some tips on how to use it more efficiently. By adopting these simple practices, you can reduce your vacation rental’s energy bills while still enjoying your favorite meals.
How much does the oven consume?
The energy consumption of an oven can vary widely depending on several factors, including the type of oven (electric or induction), the size of the oven, how often and for how long it is used, and the energy efficiency of the model.
On average, an electric oven with four hob burners can consume around 2.3 kW per hour. However, this figure can vary depending on factors such as the power output of the individual hob burners and the oven, as well as the cooking method used (for example, using the oven for extended periods of time will consume more energy than using the hob burners for a shorter amount of time).
How to get your guests to optimize their oven usage?
Getting your guests to optimize their oven usage can help reduce energy consumption and save you money on your utility bills. Here are some tips to encourage efficient oven use:
- Provide clear instructions: If your oven has any special features or quirks, make sure your guests are aware of them. Provide clear instructions on how to use the oven efficiently, such as preheating the oven only when necessary.
- Provide cookware and utensils: especially important are providing lids for oven dishes to retain heat and prevent energy loss.
By following these tips, you can encourage your guests to use your oven efficiently and reduce your energy consumption.
In conclusion, implementing simple yet effective measures to reduce energy consumption can make a significant difference in protecting the environment while reducing costs for vacation rental homes. By taking a proactive approach and investing in energy-efficient appliances, encouraging guests to conserve energy, and optimizing the use of lighting and heating systems, vacation rental homeowners can play a vital role in reducing energy consumption and promoting sustainable tourism practices.
